Conway-Robinson State Forest

Description

The 440 acres of Conway-Robinson State Forest are dominated by a mix of coniferous and deciduous tree cover with several swampy low lying areas. These damp areas host interesting flora including beautiful pink lady’s slippers, which bloom in the early spring. Spring is also a great time for birds in the forest; many winter species such as white-throated sparrows and ruby-crowned kinglets stick around to see which warblers and vireos might return in spring from the neotropics. Check in the denser undergrowth for eastern towhees and perhaps a Swainson’s or gray-cheeked thrush.

Keep an eye out for resident species including red-bellied and downy woodpeckers as they clamber through the branches next to the trail. A visit at dusk or dawn may turn up an eastern screech-owl trilling in the treetops or perhaps a barred owl endlessly questioning “Who cooks for you?” deeper in the woods. Of course you never know when something unusual may turn up, so it’s well worth checking the area regularly for surprises.

Directions

From Bull Run, go east on Beverley Mill Road for 0.7 miles to Turner Road. Turn right (south) on Turner Road for 0.1 miles to SR 55/John Marshall Highway. Go left (east) on SR 55 for 2.6 miles to US 15/James Madison Highway. Turn left (northeast) for 0.1 miles to the entrance ramp for I-66 East. Merge onto I-66, heading east 2.4 miles to Exit #43-B. Bear right (east) on US 29/Lee Highway for 0.6 miles to Conway-Robinson State Forest on the left.